Dhaka – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called the Islamic scholars to help sharpen the sprit against terrorism in the name of Islam, a religion of peace.

“We have received all teachings from Islam for improving the living standard of the people. But it’s not acceptable to anybody that the religion of peace would be undermined for some people,” Hasina told a gathering of Islamic scholars in Dhaka.

The gathering was organised to hand over signatures of more than 100,000 people, mostly Islamic, scholars who advocates fatwa for peace and harmony in Bangladesh against the backdrop of attacks by Islamic militants.

The signature campaign was launched a few months ago to create awareness among the common people against militancy and terrorism as Bangladesh was battered by a number of attacks on bloggers, writers, university teachers, publishers, priests and foreigners since 2013.

Radical Islamic groups like Islamic State and al-Qaeda claimed responsibilities of most of the attacks carried out in the Muslim-majority country despite the government denied saying home-grown militants were behind those attacks.

Hasina said the best news is that a massive awareness against terrorism and militancy has already been created among the people and it’s very much necessary to sharpen this spirit.

“I think that ulema-mashaekh (Islamic scholars) would play an important role in motivating the common people so that they don’t get derailed in any way,” she said.

Bangladesh Jamiatul Ulema, a social organization of ulema, mashaikh and aimma established with a commitment to constitute an enlightened society, arranged the conference titled “Terrorism and Militancy in Islam’s Outlook and Our Steps”.

The fatwa comprising signatures of 100,000 mufti, ulema and aimma was collected under the supervision of Farid Uddin Masud, the Imam of Sholakia mosque in Kishoreganj.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was present at the function as the special guest, while Religious Affairs Minister Alhaj Principal Motiur Rahman presided over the function.

Chief of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Dhrubeshando Maharaj, Arch Bishop Patrick D’Rozario, President of Bouddha Krishti Prachar Sangha Shudhdhanando Mohathero as well as ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries were present on the occasion.

Hasina called all concerned to find a way to bring back those who were derailed in the name of religion on right path.

“What is the way to bring back the derailed people on the right track you will have to think the entire issue and you will have to take steps so that they get real education,” she said.

Hasina said her government has already directed the authorities concerned to constitute committees at every place to create awareness against militancy and terrorism.

Urging all to stay alert so that none can tarnish the image of Islam by perpetrating terrorism, Hasina said, “We want to further gear up the campaign against militancy and terrorism together.”

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